Entry-Level Patrol Officer
ENTRY-LEVEL POLICE PATROL OFFICER is governed by the Civil Service Rules and Regulations of Bethlehem Township. Starting salary is contractually set at approximately $81,462.00. Healthcare, paid time off, and additional contractual benefits are included. Officers will receive annual $4000.00 salary step increases over 5 years to reach senior officer rate. 2026 base salary for senior patrol officer is approximately $101,462.00.
The Bethlehem Township Civil Service Commission oversees the formal examination and testing process for the hiring eligibility of police officers. The examination and testing process is governed by the Civil Service Rules & Regulations of the township.
The civil service examination & testing process for the hiring eligibility of police officers is a several months long process that begins with the formal notice of an open employment application acceptance period. At the close of the application acceptance period, civil service examinations and testing will occur on scheduled dates and times. Applicants who successfully complete the entire civil service examination process are competitively ranked on a civil service hiring eligibility list. Open positions with in the police department are filled by hiring from the eligibility list.
The Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioners are elected citizen representatives who govern the township. The appointment and hiring of police officers is at the full discretion of the Board of Commissioners.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that formal applications required to be completed in order to apply for the entry-level position of Patrol Officer in the Bethlehem Township Police Department are now available by clicking the download link below or in-person at the office of the Township Manager at the Bethlehem Township Municipal Building, 4225 Easton Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18020-1496.
Applicant Requirements
The applicant, at a minimum:
- Must have reached his/her twenty-first (21st) birthday before the deadline for submission of completed applications;
- Must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or become such within thirty (30) days of appointment;
- Must possess a high school or general equivalency diploma;
- Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and must obtain a valid Pennsylvania motor vehicle operator’s license at time of employment;
- Must be a United States citizen;
- Must be physically and mentally fit to perform the full duties of a police officer;
- Must be able to speak, write, and read the English language;
- Must meet all Municipal Police Officer's Education and Training Commission required background, physical and psychological standards
- Application & Fee: Must complete an application form, which must include a check or money order (no cash accepted) in the amount of $25.00 to cover processing costs. Check/money order should be made payable to "Bethlehem Township."
Application Filing Deadline
Completed application materials must be received, by mail or in person, in the office of the Township Manager (listed above) not later than the filing deadline of noon (12 p.m.), Friday, March 6, 2026. Applications received after the filing deadline, or those applications found to be incomplete, will be rejected.
Notifications through each step of the civil service examination & testing process are via email communication by a township representative to the applicant. Applicants must provide a valid email address for communication purposes.
An applicant is eligible for the civil service examination process ONLY if he/she has been notified by Bethlehem Township that his/her application has been determined to be complete. If an applicant’s application is filed before the deadline and is determined to be complete, the candidate will be notified by Bethlehem Township of his/her eligibility to participate in the physical agility fitness examination test.
Examination & Testing
The physical agility fitness examination test and written examination test will be conducted Sunday, March 22, 2026. Physical agility fitness testing will occur in the morning and the written testing will occur in the afternoon. Further details about times and testing locations will be provided in a follow up notification email to applicants after Bethlehem Township has determined an application is accepted as complete.
Only those applicants passing the morning physical agility fitness examination testing (Pass/Fail) will be eligible to proceed to the written examination testing conducted later in the afternoon.
PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE POLICE OFFICER EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION PACKET FOR ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS.